Page 98 of A Reign of Malice
“I’m sure we’ll be delivering plenty of messages throughout the night,” Clara says, looking over at me. “We’ll go begin on sorting things out. You two wait for Elyn.”
She and Noen leave, and I sigh as I watch him take her hand, keeping a protective eye on her. Clara’s always been able to handle things on her own, but nothing makes me happier in that moment than seeing her with someone who’ll appreciate her just the way I have all these years.
Julian shakes Garron’s hand. “Thank you for everything you’ve done all these years. I hope you’ll be able to rest now.”
The elder wolf grins. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”
He begins to hobble back the way he came and I start to ask Julian if he wants to rest himself, but he speaks first.
“Where’s Elyn?” Julian asks, his tightened gaze skimming over the bloodied courtyard.
“Right here.” She steps into view from the shadows as if born from the air itself. Her feet barely seem to touch the ground, and her eyes glow faintly beneath the veil of her midnight blue hood. Her features are sharper, more radiant, and her presence is heavy with divine weight.
She’s no longer just Aurora’s creation.
Elynispower.
“Nice night for a revolution,” she says lightly, her gaze sweeping over the ruin behind us. “Though I could do without the stench of death.”
Julian’s fingers twitch in mine, but I speak before he can.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
“Well, certainly not to answer your questions,” she replies smoothly, folding her hands in front of her. “I’m only here, on Aurora’s behalf, to bring a resolution that suits us all.”
“But what about the god realm?” Julian presses. “Isn’t the goddess fighting her own war right now?”
Elyn’s smirk is brief but evident. “The god realm is as it should be. Balanced and stable. But you shouldn’t concern yourself with my home when there’s much to do here.”
This has my brow raising. “Yourhome? You’re not going back to Selaris?”
She tilts her head in acknowledgment. “My home is with the gods now. I’ve been chosen to serve as the bridge between your kind and theirs. So, if the wolves need divine intervention again, they’ll speak to me.” Her gaze narrows slightly, like she’s testing our reactions. “But today, I only come to ask one thing: will the two of you rebuild this kingdom? Or do I need to find someone else?”
Julian and I share a look of confirmation as I answer without hesitation. “We won’t abandon our people, and there’s no land left for us to return to in Alcaris. These wolves deserve more than what they received under Aeson’s rule. We can give them that here still.”
Elyn studies me for a long moment then gives the faintest nod. “Then you’ll be the Alpha Queen of Venaris now?”
Julian steps in before I can answer. “Actually, we’d like to call it Alcaris. One kingdom, not two.”
Elyn’s lips curve into a knowing smile. “I thought you might say that.” She glances toward the flaming wreckage behind us. “The curse on your land is gone, Sloane. The poisoned water, the dead soil—all of it was bound to Aeson’s life. He no longer exists in this world and neither does the curse.”
My breath catches. “Hedid that?”
I knew Aeson was vile, but I never once suspected… I want to rage, but there’s no one left to rage against. Aeson is gone. All we can do is move forward, and hanging onto that anger won’t change the past. It will only affect my future. Our future.
“Yes. You’ll see the changes for yourself by morning. The rivers will run clear again. The land will breathe.”
Relief stings my eyes. I blink it away and look at Julian. His expression softens—one of pride, and peace, and something so tender it nearly undoes me.
“I’m done here then.” Elyn turns to leave without ceremony, as if the fate of a kingdom isn’t heavy enough to warrant a dramatic exit. But just as her form begins to shimmer and fade into golden particles, she glances over her shoulder and smirks.
“Oh, one last thing.” She winks. “Enjoy your honeymoon.”
Then she’s gone.
Just like that.
Julian and I stand in the silence she leaves behind, both blinking as if trying to decipher what just happened.
